Knife-sharpener
Unknown Artist
Medium
Nephrite
Dimensions
H. 3 1/2 in. (8.9 cm); W. 3/8 in. (1 cm); D. 5/16 in. (0.8 cm)
Classification
Jade
Culture & Period
North America (Alaska, Kotzebue Sound) · Prehistoric
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Heber R. Bishop, 1902
Accession Number
02.18.270
Art Historical Context
This delicate nephrite knife-sharpener hailing from prehistoric Alaska's Kotzebue Sound region exemplifies the ingenuity of ancient North American Indigenous peoples. Carved from nephrite—a tough, resilient form of jade prized for its durability—this slender tool measures just 3½ inches long, ⅜ inch wide, and 5/16 inch deep. Its compact, ergonomic shape suggests it was handheld, used to hone blades for hunting, fishing, or daily tasks in the harsh Arctic environment. Though functional rather than purely decorative, the object's precise craftsmanship highlights advanced stone-working technique...